Quickstart: Install Azure Backup extension in an AKS cluster

This article describes how to install the Azure Backup extension in an AKS cluster and get it ready to configure backup.

The AKS cluster extension provides an Azure Resource Manager-based process for installing and managing services throughout their lifecycle. Azure Backup enables backup and restore operations to be carried out within an AKS cluster using this extension. The Backup vault communicates with this extension to perform and manage backups.

Learn more about Backup extension

Prerequisites

Before you start:

1. You must register the Microsoft.KubernetesConfiguration resource provider at the subscription level before you install an extension in an AKS cluster. Learn more.

2. In case you have the cluster in a Private Virtual Network and Firewall, apply the following FQDN/application rules: *.microsoft.com, *.azure.com, *.core.windows.net, *.azmk8s.io, *.digicert.com, *.digicert.cn, *.geotrust.com, *.msocsp.com. Learn how to apply FQDN rules.

3. Backup extension requires a storage account and a blob container in input. In case the AKS cluster is inside a private virtual network, enable private endpoint between the storage account and the AKS cluster by following these steps.

   1. Before you install the Backup extension in an AKS cluster, ensure that the CSI drivers and snapshots are enabled for your cluster. If they're disabled, enable these settings.
   2. In case you have Azure Active Directory pod identity enabled on the AKS cluster, create a pod-identity exception in AKS cluster which works only for dataprotection-microsoft namespace by following these steps

Install Backup extension in an AKS cluster

Follow these steps:

1. In the Azure portal, go to the AKS Cluster you want to back up, and then under Settings, select Backup.

2. To prepare AKS cluster for backup or restore, you need to install backup extension in the cluster by selecting Install Extension.

3. Provide a storage account and blob container as input.

   Your AKS cluster backups will be stored in this blob container. The storage account needs to be in the same region and subscription as the cluster.

   Select Next.

   

4. Review the extension installation details provided, and then select Create.

   The deployment begins to install the extension.

   

5. Once the backup extension is installed successfully, start configuring backups for your AKS cluster by selecting Configure Backup.

Next steps

• About Azure Kubernetes Service cluster backup